To help senior citizens who want to opt for a second career after retirement, Dignity Foundation, a non-governmental organisation working for the cause of elders, in association with private companies, has organised a three-day ‘Retirement India Expo - 2011' at NIMHANS Convention Centre in the city.
Inaugurated by film actor Tara on Saturday, the exhibition provides a platform for elders to interact with their potential employers.
According to N.B. Jayaprakash, Director of the foundation's Bangalore Chapter, nearly 350 senior citizens submitted applications for jobs on the first day.
“We expect more people to apply in the next two days. We will facilitate and coordinate with employers who specifically want senior people for some specific jobs. Recently we got a senior citizen appointed as an administrator in an eye hospital and he is earning Rs. 50,000 a month,” Mr. Jayaprakash said.
The exhibition has also provided a platform for showcasing products and services for elders. From stalls displaying nutritious food items to those providing information on retirement homes, and even agencies working to facilitate puppy adoption, all are at the expo.
Workshops
On the first day, workshops were held on how to choose retirement homes, dynamics of retirement home management, graphotherapy, how to prepare a curriculum vitae and present oneself during interviews, and how to make money by investing in the stock market.
There were also talks on humour, plays, demonstration of exercises for senior citizens, and games, apart from bhajans and singing.
Vasavada Yogindra from BTM 2nd Stage said he was thrilled to visit the exhibition. “Although I am self-employed, I would definitely opt for a better job if available,” he said.
Henrietta D'Costa, who had come from Indiranagar, said she was impressed by the workshops, especially the one on graphotherapy.
On Sunday, there will be workshops on ‘Second careers – why and what', and ‘Legal rights and maintenance' (to help elders on how to prepare a will), and spiritual talks.
“We will also have performance by western musical band and plays on Sunday,” Mr. Jayaprakash said.
